Help! Fear of Pfaff QE4 Buy :-(
#21
Just wanted to clarify, the newer Pfaff Expression Line (2.0, 3.0 & 4.0) are completely different machines than the earlier Pfaff Expression models that some are comparing to here -
I have an older one and it has been a quilting workhorse, along with my Viking.
I hope that Pfaff HAS RESOLVED the problems with the 2, 3 & 4.0 models ? - I have 2 good friends in our guild who returned theirs after endless problems. They were in for repairs & adjustments constantly, one even got a second machine and still problems. She bought a Janome 6600 & the other went to Bernina.
These new Expression machines seem to have suffered a lot in quality when they stopped manuf. them in Sweden and went to China.
Sad to think the days of the quality Pfaff are no more - no more German-made Pfaffs - or Sweden either. Now they're being made in eastern Europe or in China. Hang on to the old Pfaffs if you've got one, I am!! :(
I have an older one and it has been a quilting workhorse, along with my Viking.
I hope that Pfaff HAS RESOLVED the problems with the 2, 3 & 4.0 models ? - I have 2 good friends in our guild who returned theirs after endless problems. They were in for repairs & adjustments constantly, one even got a second machine and still problems. She bought a Janome 6600 & the other went to Bernina.
These new Expression machines seem to have suffered a lot in quality when they stopped manuf. them in Sweden and went to China.
Sad to think the days of the quality Pfaff are no more - no more German-made Pfaffs - or Sweden either. Now they're being made in eastern Europe or in China. Hang on to the old Pfaffs if you've got one, I am!! :(
#22
Originally Posted by Sede_Mae
Hello everyone :-) Any Pfaff Quilter Expression Owners?? I have been for the most part a 'lurker' and have enjoyed reading everyday all you have to post...and now I could sure use your help and advice.. I am afraid of a decision I made and now am a little worried for the following reasons... I just recently put a down-payment on a new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4. I am a
quilter...definately not "Show" quality guilter, but hope to be someday. I was
looking at and comparing the Pfaff QE4 and the Bernina 440. I really liked the
Bernina 440 and I have an old (25+ yrs) Bernina 910. I have always valued the
quality of Bernina. I am however on a limited budget (poor nurse) :-) so I
decided not to purchase the MUCH more expensive Bernina. With all that said...I
am feeling kind of sick now, because I have been looking on the internet at "the
reviews" of the QE4 and so far, most all of them have been horrible!! Many of the
posts were about the tension and the 'breaking of thread' frequently while
quilting? The #1 complaint mentioned was "Thread Jam" indicator showing on the
machine when no 'jam' had occurred. I really am scarred at this moment...feeling
like I got caught up in the salesman's pitch and jumped into something before I
did my research. Most of the comments I read on the internet are from 2009...so
does anyone knows if the machine I am buying soon is any different from the 2009
or not? This is a big purchase for me and now I am having second thoughts and
thinking about going back tomarrow and asking for my check back. Of note, the
dealer has been in business for many, many years, is local and is family owned.
Thank you all for any advice or comments...hope I can sleep tonight! The little
bit I sewed on the machine before making the 'down-payment' I Loved it!! Thank you for any response...good or bad r/t this machine.
quilter...definately not "Show" quality guilter, but hope to be someday. I was
looking at and comparing the Pfaff QE4 and the Bernina 440. I really liked the
Bernina 440 and I have an old (25+ yrs) Bernina 910. I have always valued the
quality of Bernina. I am however on a limited budget (poor nurse) :-) so I
decided not to purchase the MUCH more expensive Bernina. With all that said...I
am feeling kind of sick now, because I have been looking on the internet at "the
reviews" of the QE4 and so far, most all of them have been horrible!! Many of the
posts were about the tension and the 'breaking of thread' frequently while
quilting? The #1 complaint mentioned was "Thread Jam" indicator showing on the
machine when no 'jam' had occurred. I really am scarred at this moment...feeling
like I got caught up in the salesman's pitch and jumped into something before I
did my research. Most of the comments I read on the internet are from 2009...so
does anyone knows if the machine I am buying soon is any different from the 2009
or not? This is a big purchase for me and now I am having second thoughts and
thinking about going back tomarrow and asking for my check back. Of note, the
dealer has been in business for many, many years, is local and is family owned.
Thank you all for any advice or comments...hope I can sleep tonight! The little
bit I sewed on the machine before making the 'down-payment' I Loved it!! Thank you for any response...good or bad r/t this machine.
Make sure you take time the day you pick it up to learn how to use it and feel comfortable with it as it's a highly electronic computerized sewing machine, the smartest I've ever owned.
Then take it home and use it but schedule your free class in 3 or 4 weeks. Put the machine through it's paces and make a list of questions you need to see demoed and make notes on how to do them. The lady who demonstrated my machine made it sit up and take notice and it sewed like a dream. The problems in the reviews are user error. You do need to put the time in to learn how to use the machine and then you'll be fine. I'm still learning but love it. It is a dream to sew on - I'm a hand quilter who is learning to machine quilt so I don't yet do free motion. I did try once and my machine ran into a problem but it was major user error on my part because there were settings I needed to make and didn't know as I've never had to do those settings before.
If your instincts felt good the day you tried, you should be fine but make sure you and someone there has the time for you to set it up in the store and before going in, make a list of things you need to know how to do. That's what I did but it was the free motion that got me in for my free lesson. DO NOT put that free lesson off for longer than a month. By the way, I was told that I can have as many free lessons on it as I need. I doubt that but suspect it was a safe comment to make as they know I'm an independent soul.
Good luck.
Patty
#23
I bought a new Pfaff QE 4.0 at Road to California in January and I am very happy with it. I have had some problems but I usually find that it is not the machine, it is the user not understanding the differences. I have had a Babylock Embroidery machine which I ended up selling because I always had it in the shop with one problem or another and I have an Elna 6005 which I will not part with. I love it for taking to classes. The only thing is that with the Elna you need the quilting foot attachment and there is no thread cutter but it purrs like a kitten. Ask lots of questions and keep with it, I think you will love the machine once you get used to it.
#24
I have a Quilt Expression 4.0 and I absolutely love it. I traded up from my 26yo Janome MC6000 and although I loved this machine, the QE 4.0 is so much better. I love the fact that the presser foot lifts when it's in the needle down position (great for applique). I love the IDT. I love the fact that the machine is so user friendly. If I had one thing to complain about it is the fact that the bobbin casing catches my seam allowance but even that it not a real issue. This machine is an absolute treat to use....and I sew every single day. Can't keep away from it. I am sure you will not be disappointed!
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AZ and CT
Posts: 4,898
Originally Posted by MamaBear61
I have a Pfaff and love it, but it is not the same model as the one you are buying. I think in general Pfaff can be a little tempermental but once you have the right combination of thread, needle and fabric just stick with it. I stuck with Pfaff since I wanted the feet etc to be inchangeable with my current machine.
I really like my Pfaff dealers in both CT and AZ. They both give free classes when you buy machines from them. Your dealer probably does the same. And they answer questions whenever I have them - their attitude is 'There are no stupid questions! Pfaff dealers are great!
My dealers will give me full credit on my machine if I return it to upgrade within a year. I don't know if that's just their policy or if it's a Pfaff policy.
I will probably upgrade my embroidery machine in the near future to the newest Pfaff, although I'm tempted by the Brother Quatro! It almost reads your mind and sews without you even guiding the fabric.
#26
I have a QE4 - since Oct 2008 and love it. The only problems I have encountered have been operator error. Having been used to my Pfaff 1471 (from 1987), didn't realize that when raising the feed dogs had to start sewing to re-engage them. I have since added the CV 5.0 to my Pfaff collection. One amazing machine!
#27
Originally Posted by fraserblack
I have a Quilt Expression 4.0 and I absolutely love it. I traded up from my 26yo Janome MC6000 and although I loved this machine, the QE 4.0 is so much better. I love the fact that the presser foot lifts when it's in the needle down position (great for applique). I love the IDT. I love the fact that the machine is so user friendly. If I had one thing to complain about it is the fact that the bobbin casing catches my seam allowance but even that it not a real issue. This machine is an absolute treat to use....and I sew every single day. Can't keep away from it. I am sure you will not be disappointed!
#28
Originally Posted by Quilting Di
I have a QE4 - since Oct 2008 and love it. The only problems I have encountered have been operator error. Having been used to my Pfaff 1471 (from 1987), didn't realize that when raising the feed dogs had to start sewing to re-engage them. I have since added the CV 5.0 to my Pfaff collection. One amazing machine!
#29
Was just piecing on my QE4 and one of my favorite features is that I can be sewing happily along, run out of bobbin thread, the machine tells me AND I can change bobbins with the quilt or piece I'm working on still in place and then resume sewing. Simpley change the bobbin and resume sewing. If you haven't discovered this, give it a try the next time it happens. I've even done it while quilting on a quilted throw. I did purchase a package of 7 more bobbins from my dealer and I always wind 5 bobbins at a time as I hate winding bobbins. Also I tend to use Coats and Clark cotton machine quilting thread that I buy at JoAnn Fabrics. I was cautioned that it might not work on my machine and my instructor at the dealer was amazed that it was doing everything I needed her to show me beautifully including applique, embroidery and FMQ.
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